Integrated Biophysical-Economic Analysis and Modeling (IBEAM) Lab
Integrated Biophysical-Economic Analysis and Modeling (IBEAM) Lab
For decades, forestry research has been compartmentalized into specific disciplines (such as ecology, entomology, hydrology, economics, etc.). While these discipline- or sub discipline-focused forest research have achieved remarkable strides, a consistent challenge has persisted. Forestry as field of study has its unique features and their attendant challenges; these include: (i) Multiplicity of benefits/products. The dilemma is which benefit to optimize/maximize; (ii) Long-term rotation (10 - over 100 years). This affects investment decisions, profitability, and alternative land use options; (iii) Geographical and biological variation. This brings management challenges; and (iv) Cross-boundary impacts. Understanding externalities and how to minimize their local impacts would be required. These, coupled with impacts of globalization, climate change and technological advancement demand for a more integrated research approach that would provide broad-scale and robust evidence base for policy and management decision making. IBEAM Lab focuses on developing integrated biophysical-economic decision support systems to inform sound forest and environmental management.
The IBEAM Lab Members
Thomas Ochuodho, Associate Professor
Dr. Ochuodho obtained his BS in Forestry and MPhil in Forest Economics and Management from Moi University, Kenya and Ph.D. in Forestry (Economics, Management and Policy) from University of New Brunswick, Canada. He did his postdoctoral research at Virginia Tech and Auburn University. Dr. Ochuodho has extensive work experience in integrated natural resource management in collaborative multi-institutional programs/projects in forestry, agriculture, climate change, renewable energy, land use, environmental management, sustainable development, rural community livelihood systems, international trade and teaching. He has worked in Kenya, Canada and United States. Dr. Ochuodho's research interests include, but not limited to, application of computable general equilibrium modeling in natural resource management and policy analysis, natural capital accounting, economics of bioenergy, energy-water-food nexus, climate change, and applied econometrics.
Email: thomas.ochuodho@uky.edu
Benard Oriama, MS Student (2024-2026)
Benard Oriama pursued BS in Forestry from University of Eldoret, Kenya. For his senior year research project, he conducted a study on forest pests and diseases affecting the University’s forest trees. Additionally, he took a certificate course on Agricultural Biometry and Statistical Data Analysis using Genstat Software offered at the same university. Benard volunteered his time in Eldoret Town Tree Nurseries tending to general nursery activities such as data collection on germination percentages, seed sowing, and hardening off, pricking-out, root pruning, watering, cleaning, and fertilizer application.
Benard is currently working on two projects:
- Factor Productivity in Kentucky Forest Sector. The forest sector plays a significant economic role by sustaining 57, 275 Kentucky jobs and contributing about $18 billion in 2023 to the state’s economy. The sustainability and competitive viability of the forest sector rely on an intact, sustainable wood supply chain, and reliable steady labor supply. Persistent forest mills labor shortages are limiting modernization and growth investments in existing and new manufacturing facilities. Indicators show that labor challenges will continue as the workforce diminishes due to an aging workforce in the sector, and declining interest of younger workers in the sector. The study will look into solutions to this problem.
- Scaling Up “Green” Production of Maple Syrup in the Central Hardwood Region: Responding to growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly goods, this project will expand sustainable maple syrup production in Indiana and Kentucky’s central hardwood region, focusing on sustainable, low-carbon syrup production. The project is directed toward developing a model for “green” maple syrup cooperatives such as energy-efficient production and sustainable forest management. The goal is to integrate economic viability with environmental sustainability.
Email: Benard.Oriama@uky.edu
Vaine Onyango, MS Student (2023-2025)
Vaine graduated with Bachelor of Science in Forestry from University of Eldoret, Kenya (2022). For her senior year project, she assessed the multi-benefits of Croton megalocarpus for climate change mitigation in Kenya. She served as an operations intern at ClimeTrek, a leading Climate Change and Sustainability Consultancy headquartered in London, and later on as a Project Officer of Nature-Based Solutions at the same organization, at their Kenya office. While at ClimeTrek, she worked on carbon projects, focusing on assessing emissions and emissions reductions as well as developing project description documents.
Vaine’s research interest is in the valuation of forest resources for climate resilience and sustainable economic growth. Her Master’s thesis research is on economic analyses of use of hardwood Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), as carbon emission reduction strategy and to spar rural economic growth through sustainable forestry practices in Kentucky.
Email: vaine.onyango@uky.edu
Past IBEAM Lab Members
Bobby Thapa, MS Student (2021-2023)
Bobby got his BS in Forestry with full scholarship from Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal in 2019, with CGPA 3.92/4. During that time, he enjoyed an interdisciplinary approach forestry research and conservation, which helped him acquire theoretical and practical knowledge while undertaking fieldwork and research activities.
Professionally, Bobby has worked in a multi-disciplinary environment both as a technician and researcher for various organizations in Nepal. He worked as forest ranger with Nepal Forest Corporation Limited (January-July 2020); forest technician at Nepal Environmental and Scientific Services-NESS Private Limited on "Development of Biomass Equations for Five Major Shrub Species of Nepal” project (March-May 2021); Technical and social facilitator with Community-Based Forestry Supporters’ Network (COFSUN) where he revised operational plans of nine Community Forests. Also in association with Wildlife Conservation Nepal, he was a team member of a carbon sequestration survey in forests of the sub-alpine and temperate regions of Nepal.
His research interests are in the application of economic models in valuation of forest ecosystem services, use and application of GIS and remote sensing, and statistical analytical tools for sustainable forest and natural resource management.
Current Position: PhD student at University of Maine
Gaurav Dhungel, MS Student (2019-2021)
Gaurav Dhungel pursued both Technical Certificate and Bachelor’s degree in Forestry from Institute of Forestry (IOF), Hetauda Campus of Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal. His Bachelor’s thesis focused on GIS-based approach in assessing habitat suitability and conservation issues of the re-introduced wild water buffalo in Chitwan National Park of Nepal. For this project, he received financial grant from USAID funded Hariyo Ban Program, WWF Nepal and equipment grant from IDEA WILD, USA. Gaurav joined University of Kentucky’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources for his MS graduate program beginning fall 2019. Gaurav’s MS Thesis was on “Sustainability and Economics of White Oak (Quercus Alba) Timber Supply in Kentucky”. His research interest lies in the domain of application of software-based economic modeling (GIS, GAMS, IMPLAN) in sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation and non- market valuation of forest products and services.
Current Position: PhD candidate at North Carolina State University
Domena Agyeman, PhD Student (2017-2021)
Domena received a BS in Agricultural Science from University of Cape Coast in Ghana and a MS in Agricultural Economics from Mississippi State University. His master’s thesis focused on the use of on-farm water storage systems as a tool to mitigate crop production risk in east Mississippi. Currently, Domena is a PhD student at University of Kentucky. Domena’s PhD dissertation was on “Kentucky Forest Sector: Structural Changes and Economic Impacts”. Domena’s research interests include application of computable general equilibrium (CGE) modeling in natural resource and environmental policy impact analysis; application of input-output modeling in economic impact and contribution analyses; and producer risk management decision analysis.
Current Position: Agriculture and Natural Resources Economics Advisor, University of California, Davis - Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Steven Nevels, MS Student (2020-2021)
Steven received a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from The Ohio State University, majoring in Agribusiness and Applied Economics. He has undergraduate research experience from Ohio State in benefit-cost analysis concerning pollinator conservation. Steven joined University of Kentucky’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources in the fall of 2020 to pursue a MS in Forest and Natural Resource Sciences. His research focused on the economic viability and impacts of maple syrup production in Kentucky.
Current Position: Unknown
Kamana Poudel, MS Student (2018-2020)
Kamana Poudel holds a bachelor's degree in Forestry Science from Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal. Her previous research work focused on assessing feasibility of designing payment for ecosystem services in Melamchi Watershed of Nepal. Through internship with Green Governance Nepal and mentorship with World Wide Fund for Nature’s The Generation Green (WWF-TGG) Mentorship Program she gathered experience in project management and implementation. Prior to joining University of Kentucky’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR), in the fall of 2018, Kamana worked as Program Associate in Red Panda Network where she was involved in community-based conservation activities. At FNR, Kamana's masters thesis project involved the "Economic Contribution of Forest Sector in Kentucky: Community Dependence and Economic Well-Being." Her general research interest includes valuation of natural resources, forest and natural resource economics, forest management, and application of GIS.
Current Position: PhD candidate at Oregon State University
